The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has redeemed his pledge of N20million each family of the 10 security personnel allegedly killed by members of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) in Oyigbo Local Government.
Wike had, last Wednesday, during a condolence visit to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, announced the donation of N20million to each family of the four policemen and six Army personnel killed by IPOB members in Oyigbo.
The cheques were presented to the bereaved widows at the state Police Command Headquarters and 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in Port Harcourt, respectively, yesterday.
Wike said the gesture is in fulfillment of his earlier promise to alleviate the plight of the widows and their children.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, the governor described the murder of the security personnel by IPOB members as unacceptable and should be condemned by every right-thinking Nigerian.
The governor told the Commissioner of Police that the government would not tolerate any terrorist group like IPOB in the state or allow them to kill any innocent citizen, particularly policemen and soldiers who are defending and protecting citizens of the state.
“As a governor, who matches his words with action, he has sent us to come and redeem that promise and to present the cheques of N20million each to the widows of the four police officers killed by IPOB.”
Wike assured the state commissioner of police that the state would always stand with the police to fight crime.
In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mukan, on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, thanked Governor Nyesom Wike for fulfilling his promise.
He said the police have recovered some arms and arrested some persons who have made confessional statements.
According to him, 22 persons have been charged to court.
Similarly, at the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Governor Nyesom Wike commiserated with the Nigerian Army, the widows and families of the six soldiers killed by IPOB.
He said Rivers State Government would ensure that the criminal elements, who killed the soldiers and cart away their arms and ammunition are arrested and prosecuted.
“The governor made a pronouncement that he will give a token sum of N20million to each of the widows of the slain soldiers. So, we are here to fulfil that promise to give cheques to the widows so that they can be able to survive in the absence of their breadwinners”, he said.
In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen Orlu Irefin, expressed the gratitude on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai and the entire Nigerian Army to the Rivers State governor for the kind gesture to the widows of the slain soldiers.
He debunked news in social media on the activities of the Army in Oyigbo, emphasizing that action of the Army in the area is within the ambit of the law and rules of engagement.
Danagogo was accompanied by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, and Commissioner for Social Welfare, Mrs. Inime Aguma.
